Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Should I act on this?

7 replies

Aworkdilemma · 25/01/2012 15:00

I work in an international school, so different rules, but full of expats so same culture if you like. I started a few years ago and was the first in my department. Since then, another teacher from the same school moved over to my department. The head of department job was advertised, we both applied and I got it. When I got it, the Director called me in and told me that they had had some trouble in the past with my colleague and that she was not a team player etc. My relationship with her has always been pretty professional, but maybe a little tense.

Personally speaking, I don't like her and I sure it is mutual. But of course I try to be professional and I think I have managed to keep it that way. I have recently heard gossip that she is sleeping with the Director, who is married to another teacher at the school. I have no idea if this is true. I know that she has suggested to management that we have had disagreements in work, but I am not sure exactly what she is referring too.

Anyway, apologies for the length, but she is the worst teacher I have ever seen. I share a room with her and sit through her lessons, they are awful. She is regularly on the phone, or has her headphones in, the content is awful, she treats the students badly and teaches them nothing. As HOD I am not her manager, just the curriculum coordinator, but I am finding it hard to sit on this any longer. Should I raise it? Or should I just keep an easy life?

OP posts:
PiousPrat · 25/01/2012 15:03

The gossip about her affair is just that, gossip. Unless you walk in on them in the supply closet I would keep quiet about that and focus on her ability to do her job. Anything else and you would come across as petty and spiteful.

Aworkdilemma · 25/01/2012 15:08

Yes, I would of course not mention it, I just added it because if I am raising her performance with the boss and she is shagging him......well....it might make a difference.

OP posts:
EverybodysSnowyEyed · 25/01/2012 15:09

I got that's what you meant - I assume if she wasn't rumoured to be shagging him you would have no hesitations?

Is there another member of staff you can approach and put it in writing? Covers your back at least!

Nixea · 25/01/2012 15:10

I can see why you're worried about mentioning her performance but, for the sake of the students she's "teaching" it does need to be done.

Just make sure you've got sufficient evidence including specific examples and times and then if your boss rejects the accusation out of hand you'll know and have to consider reporting your concerns to someone else, if that's possible.

mynewpassion · 25/01/2012 15:44

Its gossip. Focus on her TEACHING and not about gossip. That is your job and stick to it unless you have proof that she is doing something immoral as some schools do have morality clauses in their teaching contracts.

QuacksForDoughnuts · 25/01/2012 15:51

YABU to act on her possible affair - if it's true, they'll probably get caught out eventually anyway without your name getting dragged into it. YANBU at all to act on her crapness at doing her job - headphones on in class sounds unprofessional on its own!

kreecherlivesupstairs · 25/01/2012 16:01

Are the parents of her students aware of how poor she is? If she's that bad, her results will be dreadful too.
I would try another manager. If you are aware of her affair (if it is actually happening) I imagine the greater community will be too.
I've lived in expat enclaves married to a teacher at an International school.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread